Abstract

Although prolonged occupation of a nation is no longer a common phenomenon, where it does exist, it bears harsh implications for all parties involved. This article examines the socio-psychological implications of occupation on the occupying society, using the case of the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories of the West Bank and Gaza Strip since 1967 as an example. The article first delineates the concept of occupation from a socio-psychological perspective, which supplements the legal-formal aspect. The authors then propose a conceptual framework that analyzes the psychology of the occupying society. Within this framework, they describe the psychological challenges that the occupation may pose to the members of the occupying society. Next, they introduce psychological mechanisms that members of an occupying society may use in order to avoid facing these challenges. Finally, they offer a number of ideas regarding the relationship between these mechanisms and the process of ending the occupation.

Oren, and Halperin, in preparation). Both sources provide foundations for the

societal beliefs that constitute parts of the ethos of conflict and therefore should be

viewed as ideological conflict-supporting beliefs. In addition, we will outline the

circumstantial beliefs that appeared during the period investigated. These beliefs

develop in a particular context and later disappear. For example, a particular

2

The ethos of conflict, which provides a dominant orientation to a society in the present and

direction for the future, consists of eight themes of societal beliefs (Bar-Tal, 2000). They include:

Societal beliefs about the justness of its own goals, which, first of all, outline the goals in conflict, indicate their crucial importance, and provide their explanations and rationales. Societal beliefs about security refer to the importance of personal safety and national survival and outline the conditions for their achievement. Societal beliefs of positive collective self-image concern the ethnocentric tendency to attribute positive traits, values, and behavior to one’s own society. Societal beliefs of the society’s own victimization concern self-presentation as a victim, especially in the context of the intractable conflict. Societal beliefs about delegitimizing the opponent concern beliefs which deny the adversary’s humanity. Societal beliefs of patriotism generate attachment to the country and society by propagating loyalty, love, care, and sacrifice. Societal beliefs of unity refer to the importance of ignoring internal conflicts and disagreements during an intractable conflict in order to unite the forces in the face of external threat. Finally, societal beliefs of peace refer to peace as the ultimate desire of the society.32

leader of the rival group is perceived as weak and therefore is considered unable

to implement the potential peace agreement. Finally, we will also describe the

emotions that play a role as barriers to peacemaking. We will carry out this

analysis by focusing on the recent period of 2000-2009 – a period during which

the conflict escalated, and the beliefs and emotions supporting the continuation of

the conflict became stronger and more widespread.

Ideological Beliefs Supporting the Conflict

In earlier works we have studied the Israeli ethos and the way it has changed since